The Albanese Government’s responsible economic management has ensured the labour market has been resilient in the face of global and domestic pressures.
More than a million jobs have been created since the election, the participation rate is near record highs and the unemployment rate at 4.1 per cent is lower than its historical average.
The Albanese Government announced $23.7 million funding for the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) to update the national occupation classification standard as part of its ongoing economic plan for a strong labour market.
This is the first major update since 2006 and marks the mutually agreed decision to separate Australia’s occupational classification system from New Zealand’s.
The Occupational Standard Classification for Australia (OSCA) provides high quality insights and data for workforce planning so we can continue to shape the education pathways, skilled migration programs, and workforce strategies that equip Australians with the skills to get employed and stay employed.
Some key changes include:
- Modern representations of new and emerging occupations
- More detailed occupation descriptions in aged care, welfare, and childcare
- Improved visibility of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander‑specific occupations and specialisations including the Indigenous Rangers Program
- Gender‑inclusive language
Some examples of new occupations are:
- Cloud Engineer
- Electric Vehicle Technician
- Coffee Roaster
Some examples of occupations that have been removed are:
- Bungy jump master
- Small Offset Printer
- Motion Picture Projectionist
- Footwear Factory Worker
OSCA will be seen in labour market statistics starting from August 2026.
These changes are possible thanks to the collaborative efforts and insights of users during the ABS’ four rounds of consultation in 2023 and 2024. The ABS is committed to regular updates of OSCA and will engage with ongoing consultation and feedback about the occupation classifications in 2025.
For more information visit the ABS ‘About OSCA’ page.